By Lily Reavis ’21
Editor-in-Chief
On-campus residents woke up to 10 inches of new snow over the weekend, the first winter storm to pass over South Hadley since nearly 700 students moved back three weeks ago.
On Feb. 1, all community members were alerted that campus buildings would close early for the storm via email. In the early hours of Feb. 2, a second message came in, extending the closure into the morning. Facilities such as the Kendall Sports and Dance Complex and Williston Library were closed until 12 p.m., when the buildings reopened for normal COVID-19-safe activities. The on-campus testing center, located in Carr Laboratory, was closed until 10 a.m., a three-hour delay during a period often booked by staff members (the hours between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. are reserved for students daily).
One thought-provoking occurrence during this snow day could be found in the official weather alerts sent out by the College. “Classes scheduled to begin prior to 10:00 a.m. will be remote,” it read. “Remote classes will take place as usual unless otherwise directed by the teaching faculty member.” It is difficult to predict what sort of influence this pandemic will have on the future of Mount Holyoke’s academic schedule, but it appears that the College’s administration may not be opposed to adapting virtual teaching formats for other uses — alas, like snow days — after COVID-19 is cured.
That being said, one crisis at a time is enough.
Campus correspondent, Staff Photographer and Graphics Artist Trinity Kendrick ’21 ventured into the snowy Tuesday morning to capture the snowfall on campus.